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Show C7°) SABINA. M y heart I gave co Horace, and 'tis true, Since he's a Roman, I muft be fo too : But yet that Knot a Fetter would be thought, If m y dear Country mould be quite forgot. Alba where I began to fee the light, Alba m y native place, and firft delight W h e n I behold a W a r *twixt us and thee, As much as lofs, I dread a Vidory : Rome if by this thy anger I create, Find out a Foe w h o m I tnay juftly hate; W h e n at thy Walls two Armies in thy fight, Shew m e m y Brothers with m y Husband fight, What Prayers can I make? how can I be Without impiety concern'd for thee ? I know thy growing Empire, yet fo young, By W a r alone muft make her finews ftrong ; Thy future Grandeur is by Fate defignd, Not to the Latines to be long confin'd : The gods the ftxppliant World for thee intend, And 'tis by Arms thou muft attain that end : Far from repining at that noble heat Which ferves thy Stars, and helps to make thee great; I v ifh thy Troops mav ftill new Triumphs claim, And over-run lyreniaii Bills to Fame. Co, Eaftern Conquefts for thy Sword defign, And fetle thy Pavillions in the Rhine; Let all Lands tremble where thy Ehftgnsgo, But her to w h o m thou Romulus doft owe ; Subdue the utmoft Regions of the Earth, But fpare the T o w n where Romulus had birth ; Forget not her from w h o m thy City draws Her Name, and all her ftrength, but Walls and Laws: Albas thy Parent, let that thought arreft Thy greedy Sword, nor pierce thy Mothers breft; For thy triumphant Arms make other choice, And in her Children's Fortune (hell rejoice, Nay, would with natural concern difown (7O All Enemies of thine, were (he not one. JULIA. This Language much furprize to m e affords, For fince thefe Cities firft unflieath'd their Swords, You have fo unconcerned for Alba ftood, As if your birth had been of Roman blood; I wonder'd at a Virtue fo refin'd, Which to your Husband, Alba had refign'd, And therefore fo proportion'd m y relief, As if our Rome alone had caus'd your grief. SABINA. Whilft fuch a {hock m y reafon did affail, As was too weak to weigh down either Scale; Till all m y flattering hopes of Peace were loft, T o be entirely Roman was m y boaft. It at Romes Fortune I difpleas'd have been, I quickly chid that mutiny within: And when her Deftiny was not fo kind, If, for m y Brothers, joy ledue'd m y mind, By Reafon s help that motion I fupprefs'd, And wept for all the glory they poflefs'd. But now thefe Cities muft be loft or fav'd That Rome muft fink, or Alba be enflav'd ; And after battel there no hope remains T o the fubdu'd, nor ftop to her that gains : I fhould too barbaroufiy m y Country treat, If I could be a perfect Roman yet. A little lefs to one man's love refign'd T o neither City I will be confin'd; I fear for both, and whilft their Fate is try'd, I ftill will be on the ailli&ed fide; Equal to each, whilft they unequal are, And muft their grief, but not their glory (hare. For I refolve in fuch a (harp debate, T o mourn the Conquer d, and the Victor hate. JULIA. H o w oft does Fortune, with an equal blow, O n different Souls different effefts beftow! \ |
